By Moniza Khokhar
July 16, 2009
Are Iraqis now making love, not war?
In yet another twisted policy actually implemented, the Iraqi government has allotted a budget to monetarily compensate Iraqi citizens to marry outside of their respective sects. Tha’s right, now Sunni and Shia men and women are now encouraged to get it on, with each other ... thank you, America.
Although the new program may seem like the latest courtesy of the good ol’ USA, the Iraqi government has historically always supported marriage, gifting about $1000 to each newlywed couple. Now, any Iraqi couple marrying into either the Sunni or Shia sect can cash out with a sweet $1800. Reportedly, so far the Iraqi government has given about $3 million for the inter-faith unions.
Since the war began, the American media has portrayed Sunni and Shia Iraqi’s as on a killing spree of each other. But lo and behold, it turns out they actually have lived together for centuries now and also continue to intermarry. Still, it’s nice to see the Iraqi government moving the country forward positively, with programs that maintain the country’s religious and cultural roots. And higher compensation is a lot better than some of the societal hurdles inter-faith couples have to face in many other parts of the world, even in America.
So an $800 bonus? Now that’s just romantic.
Comments
That’s awesome!
By farrahhamid on 07/28/2009 at 11:00am Report Abuse
It’s nice for the gov’t to give marriage incentives, but please, let’s not call sunni- shia marriages “interfaith”. Both groups are Muslim.
By AMAM on 07/29/2009 at 09:42am Report Abuse
nice article moniza popho ,thank you america
By raahim9 on 07/31/2009 at 06:07pm Report Abuse